CBC Windsor April 29 COVID-19 update: 6 more people have died

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit reported more deaths in the community on Wednesday than new cases of COVID-19.

Another six people have died due to COVID-19 in Windsor-Essex, and there are five new cases of the disease. 

Medical officer of health, Dr. Wajid Ahmed, said two women in their 90s, one male in his 90s, two women in their 80s and one woman in her 70s have died. 

Five of the individuals were residents of long-term care homes and one person was a member of the community. They all were at a higher risk of COVID-19, said Ahmed, because of pre-existing medical conditions. 

"I am truly at a loss to see the loss of so many of our community's elders," said Ahmed, sending condolences to the families of those who have passed. 

There are now 586 cases of COVID-19 in the community and 179 people have recovered from the disease. 

Overall, 49 people have died in the community and 35 of those individuals were residents of long-term care or retirement homes. 

WATCH| The health unit's COVID-19 update for Wednesday, April 29:

Currently, seven of those facilities in Windsor-Essex are experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19. 

Two of those facilities have been hard-hit by the virus. 

According to numbers released by the province, 16 people have died at Country Village Homes. The health unit reported 70 positive cases among residents and 28 among staff at the Woodslee long-term care home.

At Heron Terrace, 12 people have died. There are 51 positive cases in residents and another 18 cases in staff. About 32 residents of Heron Terrace have been transferred to Windsor regional Hospital's field hospital set up at St. Clair College's Sportsplex. 

"We can not overstate the degree of cooperation and assistance the hospital has shown in supporting the home and our residents during this incredibly difficult time, or the degree of care they took in preparation for caring for these residents, most of whom have multiple chronic conditions and or suffer from various stages of dementia," said John Scotland, CEO for the Steeves & Rozema Group, which owns Heron Terrace. 

Five other long-term care and retirement homes in the region currently experiencing outbreaks, including Extendicare Southwood Lakes, Amica Riverside, Lifetimes on Riverside, Sun Parlor Home for Senior Citizens, and Franklin Gardens. both Extendicare and Franklin Gardens have been added back to the outbreak list on Tuesday, after previously being cleared of an outbreak. 

One resident has died at Amica Riverside and one resident has died at Sun Parlor.

As of Thursday, Lifetimes on Riverside confirmed that three residents have died. There are currently 13 active cases at Lifetimes on Riverside. 

On Tuesday, the health unit confirmed five more people have died due to COVID-19 in Windsor-Essex.

Ahmed, said two women in their 80s, one woman in her 60s, a man in his 50s and a woman in her 50s have died. Ahmed said all of the individuals had underlying health issues, except for the woman in her 50s. 

Here's what's happening in our area:

• Transit Windsor back on May 4 under 'enhanced Sunday service'
• 40 workers at Kent Bridge, Ont. greenhouse test positive for COVID-19

COVID-19 in Sarnia-Lambton

Lambton Public Health reported Tuesday there are 181 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lambton-Kent. 

Overall, 14 people have died and 87 people have recovered from the disease. 

There are current outbreaks at three long-term care and retirement homes in Sarnia-Lambton.

Landmark Village retirement home had 30 cases among residents and 10 cases in staff members, according to the health unit. Six residents at that facility have died. 

Long-term care home Vision Nursing Home in Sarnia has three cases among residents and two cases in staff members.

Sumac Lodge long-term care home in Sarnia announced on Monday that a staff member has tested positive for coronavirus and is currently in self-isolation at home. 

Walpole Island First Nation now has five confirmed cases of coronavirus in the community. Fourteen people have been tested, seven have been confirmed negative, while two are still waiting for their results. 

COVID-19 in Chatham-Kent

Chatham-Kent Pubic Health reported 78 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the region as of Tuesday, with more than half of them connected to a single workplace.

The recent uptick was due to an outbreak at Greenhill Produce greenhouse near Kent Bridge. Forty-three workers there have tested positive for the disease. 

In Chatham-Kent, one person has died due to COVID-19 and 26 people have recovered.